Canada’s Conservative government says it will vote against adopting a treaty on the rights of Aboriginals worldwide at the United Nations’ Human Rights Council in Geneva, Switzerland.
According to a CBC news story, Indian Affairs Minister Jim Prentice was firm on the Tories’ stance. “It contains provisions that are inconsistent with the Constitution Act of 1982,” Prentice said. “It’s quite inconsistent with land-claims policies under which Canada negotiates claims.”
He also added that the document would hinder talks for Aboriginal land claims and resource rights on Native land.
The document has taken 20 years to write. It would not be legally binding, but more of a symbolic show of support towards Aboriginals across the world.
The United States, Australia and New Zealand released a joint statement last month saying that in their opinion, Aboriginals do not have the right to self-determination as it contravenes international law.
